The streets were alive again as I stepped out of the shadowed alley and into the city’s chaos. Merchants hawked their wares, children ran laughing between carts, and blacksmiths hammered rhythmically in their forges. It was as if the world had chosen to forget the violence I’d just left behind.

But I couldn’t.

The weight of my shield seemed heavier with every step, the echoes of the fight replaying in my mind. Each strike, each life ended—it all lingered, an invisible stain that no amount of walking would shake off.

Still, I didn’t regret it. Not for a second.

They’d made their choice when they picked up those blades.

I kept moving, weaving through the crowd without a destination in mind. The smells of roasted meat and fresh bread wafted from market stalls, but I ignored the ache in my stomach. My focus was on the rhythm of my steps, the steady cadence that kept my thoughts from spiraling.

A voice broke through the noise, calling after me.

“Wait!”

I recognized it immediately, but I didn’t turn around.

“Liam!” Evelyn’s voice carried over the din of the marketplace, louder this time.

I sighed, slowing my pace just enough for her to catch up.

She appeared at my side, her breath coming in short gasps as she clutched the satchel tightly. “You didn’t have to just leave,” she said, her tone somewhere between exasperation and gratitude.

I shrugged, keeping my eyes on the road ahead. “You were fine. I made sure of it.”

“That’s not the point,” she said, falling into step beside me. “You saved me. I didn’t even get a chance to thank you properly.”

“You just did,” I said flatly, quickening my pace.

But she wasn’t letting it go. “Liam Carter,” she said, testing the name like it didn’t quite fit in her mouth. “That’s not exactly a local name, is it?”

I froze for half a beat before forcing myself to keep walking. “What makes you say that?”

“It’s obvious,” she said, sidestepping a cart laden with barrels. “You’re not from here. And you’re definitely not like anyone else I’ve met in this world.”

I didn’t respond. Instead, I stopped near the edge of the marketplace, letting the noise of the crowd fill the space between us.

“Let me guess,” she said, stepping in front of me to block my path. “You’re one of us. Like me.”

Her words hung in the air, sharp and deliberate.

I met her gaze, my jaw tightening. “And what exactly are you?”

Her lips twitched into a faint smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Someone who doesn’t belong here. Someone who woke up with more questions than answers and something called a system telling me how to survive.”

The corner of my mouth twitched, but I kept my face neutral. “You think we’re the only ones?”

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“I don’t know,” she said, her expression softening. “But I’ve seen enough to know I can’t be the only one. Not anymore.”

I leaned against a nearby wall, crossing my arms over my chest. “So, what’s your plan, then? You’ve got a system. What are you going to do with it?”

Her gaze faltered for a moment, her fingers tightening around the strap of her satchel. “I don’t know yet,” she admitted. “But I do know I can’t do it alone.”

“Strength in numbers,” I said, the words more to myself than to her.

Evelyn nodded, her eyes searching mine. “I’m not asking for much. Just some help figuring this out. We’re both in the same mess, aren’t we?”

I studied her for a moment, weighing her words. She wasn’t wrong, and she wasn’t weak either. That much was clear from the way she’d held her ground in the alley.

But there was something else—something guarded in her posture, in the way her eyes darted toward the shadows like she expected them to come alive.

“Alright,” I said finally. “You’ve got my attention. For now.”

Her shoulders relaxed slightly, but she didn’t smile. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

“Don’t thank me yet,” I said, pushing off the wall. “You might not like the way I do things.”

She tilted her head, her curiosity flashing again. “And how do you do things?”

I didn’t answer right away. Instead, I started walking, the weight of my shield a familiar comfort against my back.

“You’ll figure it out,” I said over my shoulder. “If you stick around long enough.”

As we reached the edge of the marketplace, a faint chime echoed in my ears. My steps faltered as a glowing notification appeared in my vision, the soft light standing out against the muted colors of the world around me.

Party Member Added: Evelyn Harper

Name: Evelyn Harper

Class: Warlock (Shadowbound)

Level: 1

Health: 80/80

Mana: 120/120

Note: Party members can locate each other using the Map feature. Access unlocked.

I glanced at Evelyn, whose wide-eyed expression told me she’d gotten the same message.

“You seeing this?” I asked, my voice low.

She nodded, her gaze flicking between me and some point above her line of sight. “Yeah. Party member… Does that mean we’re stuck together now?”

“Looks that way,” I said, crossing my arms.

Evelyn frowned, reaching out toward the air as if swiping through an invisible menu. “It says we can find each other using the map feature. I didn’t even know there was a map.”

“Neither did I,” I admitted, opening the System Menu with a thought. Sure enough, a new Map tab had appeared, and when I tapped it, a detailed topographical layout filled my vision. Two glowing dots marked our locations in the city, along with a few faint icons indicating nearby points of interest.

“Well, that’s handy,” I said, closing the map.

Evelyn lowered her hand, looking more thoughtful than surprised. “It’s like the system is nudging us to work together.”

“Maybe,” I said, shrugging. “Or maybe it just wants to keep track of us.”

Her expression darkened slightly, but she didn’t argue.

After a moment, Evelyn sighed, her shoulders slumping. “Alright, so we’re a party now. What’s our next move?”

“Money,” I said without hesitation.

She raised an eyebrow. “Money?”

“We both need it,” I said, gesturing to the worn satchel slung over her shoulder. “For supplies, gear, food. And judging by that alley, neither of us is rolling in gold right now.”

She glanced at the satchel, her lips pressing into a thin line. “You’re not wrong. But what are we supposed to do? Rob a merchant?”

“No,” I said flatly. “We find work. Legitimate work.”

Evelyn snorted. “Right, because legitimate work pays so well around here.”

I ignored the sarcasm, scanning the bustling market. Vendors shouted about fresh produce and handcrafted goods, while tradesmen advertised their services. Somewhere in this chaos, there had to be an opportunity.

“Adventurers make money,” I said, half to myself.

“Yeah, but they also don’t live long,” Evelyn pointed out.

“Then we find something low risk,” I said, my mind already churning. “Merchants hire guards. Farmers need laborers. Maybe there’s a guild offering bounties.”

“Bounties?” Evelyn asked, her tone wary.

“For pests,” I clarified. “Not people. Rats, wolves, whatever’s causing trouble around here.”

She folded her arms, her expression skeptical. “And you think that’ll be enough to keep us afloat?”

“It’s a start,” I said. “Unless you’ve got a better idea.”

She sighed, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. “Fine. Let’s see what we can find. But if we end up chasing rats for a few copper, I’m blaming you.”

I smirked faintly, already scanning the crowd for anyone who looked like they might need help. “Deal.”

Together, we set off into the city, two strangers bound by the whims of a system neither of us fully understood.